Pantomime
Micah Grey #1 (gaslight fantasy, neo-Victoriana)
In a land of lost wonders, the past is stirring once more . . .
Micah runs away from a debutante’s life at home and joins the circus, harboring two secrets–one: he was born between male and female, and two: he may have powers last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age.
Micah discovers the joy of flight as an aerialist, courting his trapeze partner, Aenea, and confiding in the mysterious white clown, Drystan. He finally feels free. But the circus has a dark side, and Micah’s past isn’t done with him.
Meanwhile, the strange ‘ghost’ of a woman with damselfly wings whispers to Micah that only he can help magic return to the realm, and he fears she may be right…
Micah has much to learn, and he must do it quickly—before his past and future collide, with catastrophic consequences.
Pantomime is a gorgeous and inventive fantasy with queer elements, inspired by Victorian Scotland. L.R. Lam weaves a coming-of-age tale, stirrings of first love, and prophetic whispers into this unforgettable first installment of the Micah Grey series.
Publishing Information for the Micah Grey Series:
US: DAW/Astra
UK: Hodderscape
Release dates: September 2025, November 2025, January 2026.
Pantomime: originally released in 2013 from Strange Chemistry. Re-released by Tor UK in 2016. Shadowplay: originally released in February 2014 from Strange Chemistry. Re-released by Tor UK in 2016. Masquerade: Released in 2017. The 2025-2026 editions are my preferred texts!
Note: Subsidiary rights are held by Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment
Please also consider buying from your favourite independent bookstore!
You can purchase signed copies of my books at any time from some of my beloved Edinburgh indies, such as Transreal Fiction , Argonaut Books and The Portobello Bookshop.
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Winner of the 2014 Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction
The Gay YA Book of the Month October 2014
Nominated for the 2014 UKYA Book Award in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Nominated for the 2014 British Fantasy Society Best Newcomer Award
Scottish Book Trust Teens Book of the Month May 2014
Top Ten Title for the 2014 ALA Rainbow List
Shortlisted for the 2014 NE Teen Book Award
Nominated for the 2014 ALA Popular Paperbacks List in the GLBTQ category
Nominated for the 2014 Cybils Award
Longlisted for the 2014 Catalyst Book Award
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“Pantomime by Laura Lam took me into a detailed and exotic world, peopled by characters that I’d love to be friends with . . . and some I’d never want to cross paths with.”
– Robin Hobb, author of the Farseer trilogy
“Pantomime is a fantastical, richly drawn, poignant take on a classic coming-of-age story . . . a vibrant tale told with surety and grace.”
– Leigh Bardugo, author of the Grisha trilogy & Six of Crows
“Set in a vividly imagined world with wonderful steampunk touches, Pantomime is a fable-like story as beautifully unique as its main character.”
– Malinda Lo, author of Ash, Huntress, and Adaption
Praise & Accolades
Shadowplay
Micah Grey #2 (gaslamp fantasy, neo-Victoriana)
Old magics are waking. Will the world survive their return?
Micah Grey almost died when he fled the circus with Drystan. Now he and the ex-clown must use Glamours to disguise themselves and hide in the once-grand Kymri Theatre, run by a once-renowned magician, Jasper Maske. Drystan claims Maske’s stage magic is all smoke and mirrors, but where’s the line between trickery and real power?
Micah and Drystan will soon learn the answer, when Maske’s arch-nemesis challenges him—and by extension, Micah and Drystan—to a duel that will seal all of their fates.
Meanwhile, the Shadow still haunts Micah’s steps, and as the duel draws near, Micah increasingly suffers from dark visions. Events that destroyed the ancient world are being replayed. Can Micah’s latent powers break this deadly pattern?
Praise & Accolades
“A fantastical, richly drawn, poignant take on a classic coming-of-age story . . . a vibrant tale told with surety and grace.” - Leigh Bardugo
“Pantomime by Laura Lam took me to an exotic and detailed world, peopled by characters that I'd love to be friends with . . . and some I'd never want to cross paths with.” - Robin Hobb
“A fable-like story as beautifully unique as its main character” – Malinda Lo
“Hugely recommended as one of the most imaginative, inventive, and exciting fantasy series around” - The Book Bag
Please also consider buying from your favourite independent bookstore!
You can purchase signed copies of my books at any time from some of my beloved Edinburgh indies, such as Transreal Fiction , Argonaut Books and The Portobello Bookshop.
Masquerade
Micah Grey #3 (gaslamp fantasy, neo-Victoriana)
The gifted can’t hide their talents forever. But monsters await when they step into the light…
Micah’s Chimaera powers are growing, just as dark visions threaten to overwhelm him. Drystan is forced to take him to the Royal Physician, but can they really trust the doctor? Especially when he gets Micah hooked on a mysterious medicine, and a close friend is revealed to be his spy…
Meanwhile, violent unrest is sweeping the country as anti-royalist factions fight to be heard. When a royal secret and an attack on Chimaera brings Micah into the heart of the conflict, he and his friends must fight an ancient sect that aims to spread terror once more. The fate of all Chimaera—and the world—hangs in the balance.
In this satisfying and thrilling conclusion to their inventive fantasy trilogy, L.R. Lam raises the stakes like never before.
Praise & Accolades
“A fantastical, richly drawn, poignant take on a classic coming-of-age story . . . a vibrant tale told with surety and grace.” - Leigh Bardugo
“Pantomime by Laura Lam took me to an exotic and detailed world, peopled by characters that I'd love to be friends with . . . and some I'd never want to cross paths with.” - Robin Hobb
“A fable-like story as beautifully unique as its main character” – Malinda Lo
“Hugely recommended as one of the most imaginative, inventive, and exciting fantasy series around” - The Book Bag
Please also consider buying from your favourite independent bookstore!
You can purchase signed copies of my books at any time from some of my beloved Edinburgh indies, such as Transreal Fiction , Argonaut Books and The Portobello Bookshop.